Linkbar

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Fall is in the air, and that means a Free Fun in Austin roundup of fall festivals and Halloween events in and around the city! The events are listed by city, in chronological order. As always, please check times and locations on the individual event sites before heading out, as they may have changed.

Austin:

Boo at the Zoo, October 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27, 7 - 9 p.m. Austin Zoo and Animal Sanctuary -- See the animals at night and ride the haunted train, which runs every 20 minutes from 7 - 9 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $12.50 and include your train ticket for a specific time. Please note that coupons and vouchers will not be valid for this event. (10808 Rawhide Trail, Austin)Community Halloween Carnival & Open House, October 18, 5:30 - 8 p.m., Metz Recreation Center -- Metz Staff is cooking up a potion that will have you screaming a good time. Kids can come and play theme games and go through our Haunted house. $0.25 a ticket for the games and $1.00 to enter the haunted house. (2407 Canterbury St)Free Wand Making, October 19, 5 - 7 p.m., The Art Garage -- You just can't have enough wands! Join The Art Garage for their popular free Harry Potter wand-making event. Make a wand to accessorize your Halloween costume, or just for fun! There will be other studio specials and surprises, too! FREE. (11190 Circle Drive #202-3)Hancock Fall Festival, October 19, 4 - 7 p.m., Hancock Recreation Center -- Carnival games, a cake walk, arts and crafts projects, and more...don't forget to dress up!! Call 453-7765 for more information. (811 East 41st Street)MUMC Fall Festival, October 20, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Manchaca United Methodist Church -- Bring your family, friends and neighbors for day of fun! There will be pumpkins, food, music, clowns, a magician, cake walk, face painting and a variety of games and door prizes for all ages. (1011 FM 1626 at Manchaca Rd)Halloween Spooktacular at Dittmar, October 20, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m., Dittmar Recreation Center -- Put on your best costume and come celebrate Halloween with Dittmar! There will be a carnival set up with lots of fun games, food, prizes, and a costume contest! Carnival tickets will be 25¢ each. The carnival will begin at 5:30 p.m. There will also be a haunted house located in the main building for brave youngsters, teens, and adults to enjoy. To finish off the evening, the Rec Center will be showing the movie Casper on the athletic field, so bring a blanket to save your spot on the grass! The FREE movie begins at 6:45 p.m. (1009 W. Dittmar Rd.)Haunted Trails, October 19-20 and October 26-27, 7-10 p.m., Pioneer Farms -- The moon is full, spirits are rustling through the leaves along Walnut Creek and ghouls are ready to welcome you to this popular Halloween event. The Chisholm Trail that runs across Pioneer Farms was never this ghostly. Fun for the whole family. Appropriate for children. Come see Spooky Scarecrows, haunted historic houses, ghost stories among other family-friendly frights along a three-quarter-mile walking tour through Hallow's Eve, with fortune tellers, eerie spooklights and much more. Hear tales of Edgar Allan Poe, a famous 19th Century author. Watch short "lantern show" films from the 1890s. Hear spooky tales from the Central Texas Storytelling Guild. Admission is $12 a person. Reservations are not necessary. Hayrides and fortune telling booths available for extra fee. Food and drinks will be on sale in the Spook Town entrance village. (10621 Pioneer Farms Drive)What's the Story Steve? Special Halloween Shows, October 20 and 27, 10 a.m. ColdTowne Theater -- Join Steve the Improvising Poodle in two special Halloween shows: help Steve create an improvised haunted house, create spooky tales, and see them brought to life! Costumes are welcome! Kids are also invited to stay for a sample improv class from 11 - 11:50 a.m. Come early -- the theater capacity is only 48. The show is FREE, but donations are appreciated. (4803 Airport Blvd)Cartoon Cereal Party: Monster Edition, October 20, noon, Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar -- Enjoy a two and a half hour attack of the wildest Halloween themed cartoons from the 80s and 90s! (1120 S Lamar Blvd) $10. The party will also be happening on October 27 at 11 a.m. at Alamo Slaughter Lane and Alamo Lake Creek. Tickets available online.Dia de los Muertos Viva la Vida Fest, October 20, from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., Mexic-Arte Museum -- Mexic-Arte Museum, the Official Mexican and Mexican American Fine Art Museum of Texas, is celebrating its 29th Annual Día de los Muertos – Austin’s largest and longest-running Day of the Dead festival featuring Latino artists and entertainment, and educational art activities. Part of the proceeds benefit the Museum's education outreach programs. Viva la Vida Fest celebrates life and our environment through art and culture, using the traditions of Dia de los Muertos. The festival brings together a diversity of people in Austin to pay homage to friends, family, and heroes. The procession beginning at Plaza Saltillo will not take place this year, but festival participants are encouraged to wear costumes to the event as there will be a costume contest at 7:30 p.m. Attendees will also enjoy traditional foods from local restaurants, hands-on art activities, and artist demonstrations. For more information, please visit www.mexic-artemuseum.org. Admission from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., FREE. 1 p.m. - 10 p.m., $5 for adults. (419 Congress Ave)Ghoultide Gala, October 20, 7 p.m., St. Martin's Lutheran Church -- A program based around the narrative poem 'Twas All Hallows Eve, featuring Ghoultide Scarols, a chamber oghoulstra, and a 100 voice massed Ghoul Choir. The story will be brought to life with costumed and choreographed actors and dancers. Advanced reservations are recommended. $10 per ghoul; $20 maximum per Addams Family. Go to www.saintmartins.org for reservations.Autumn Pumpkin Party, October 22, 5 & 6:15 p.m., Gymboree Cedar Park, October 23, 5 p.m., Gymboree Shoal Creek, October 24, 5 & 6:15 p.m., Gymboree Southwest -- Dress up and join the fun in a safe, spook-tacular environment. Pumpkin activities, seasonal craft projects, music, snacks, dancing, and more! Admission is $15 for the first child, $12 for siblings. Parties fill up fast, so reserve your spot today! (Cedar Park: 11200 Lakeline Mall Dr; Shoal Creek: 8015 Shoal Creek Blvd; Southwest: 4220 South Lamar)E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, October 24, 7 p.m., Alamo South Lamar -- UT Elementary Hosts "E.T." on the big screen. Join them while they put the FUN back in fundraising! The Alamo Drafthouse school fundraisers are for ages 6 and up. Students under 18 years old must come with a parent or guardian (at least one adult per four kids). Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here.Virginia L. Brown Fall Fest, October 25, 3 p.m., Virginia L. Brown Recreation Center -- Bring the entire family for carnival games, face painting, and game booths. $3 per child. For more information, call 512-476-9193. (7500 Blessing Avenue)Rosewood Halloween Carnival, October 25, 6 - 8 p.m., Rosewood Recreation Center -- Annual Halloween carnival providing families a safe and fun place to participate in games, crafts, costume contest, and a haunted house. FREE.Cantu / Pan Am Halloween Carnival, October 25, 6 - 8 p.m., Cantu / Pan Am Recreation Center -- Bring the entire family in costume for an evening of fun and indoor games. Call 512-476-9193 for more information. (2100 East 3rd Street)

Spooktacular!, Friday, October 26, 6 - 9 p.m., Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum -- Ghosts and ghouls of all ages will enjoy a terror-ific evening of spooky storytelling, experiments, games, costumes, and more! The night will really heat up when Sangre Del Sol lights up the Plaza. This performance group brings together fire and LED effects with amazing costumes, diverse dance styles, and exciting music to create a one-of-a-kind experience. FREE. (1800 N Congress Avenue)Dove Springs Halloween Carnival, October 26, 6 - 8 p.m., Dove Springs Recreation Center -- Join us for an evening of fun and games for the entire family. Try your luck at our carnival booths where everyone is a winner! For more information, call 512-447-5875. FREE. (5801 Ainez Drive)Turner Roberts Rec Community Halloween Carnival, October 26, 6 - 8 p.m., Turner Roberts Recreation Center -- Come dressed in your best Halloween costume while enjoying games and various activities. Prizes will be awarded for the best costume. A snack will be provided. For more information, call 512-926-6013. FREE. (7201 Colony Loop Drive)

in.gredients Halloween Open House & Costume Party, October 26, 7 p.m., in.gredients -- Celebrate halloween with in.gredients! We will have drinks and live music- festive merriment all around. Seeing as it is a costume party, we will have a grand prize for the best recycled costume. in.gredients is Austin's first zero waste, package free micro grocer selling local food with pure ingredients. (2610 Manor Rd)

Halloween Monster Concert and Sing-Along, October 26, 7:30 p.m., University Presbyterian Church -- In addition to a performance of Bach's "Toccata and Fugue in g minor", many local musicians, young and seasoned, will play haunting music on the organ, piano, harpsichord, synthesizer, xylophone, and more befitting the season. New this year will be Ghoultide Scarols, yuletide carols set in minor mode with Halloween words, and written by local celebrity composer Thom Pavlechko. Free parking is available in the Co-Op garage at 23rd Street if you bring in your ticket to be validated. Suggested admission is $10, with those in costume paying $5. Proceeds go towards the Micah 6 food pantry. Kid friendly! (2203 San Antonio Street at 22nd Street)Spooktacular Halloween Bash, October 27, 3 - 5 p.m., Little Gym Round Rock -- Ghostly games, thrilling treats, and a mysterious maze! Costumes are encouraged. The first hour from 3 - 4 p.m. is only open to families with children under age 3. Families with children age 3 and older are invited to come at 4 p.m. Families with both ages please come at 4 p.m. Admission is new or gently used coats for kids. (3203 IH 35 S, #590, Round Rock)Brentwood Haunted Halloween Carnival, October 27, 3 - 7 p.m., Brentwood Elementary School -- Bounce and slide on the Inflatable Rides. Challenge your friends at Putt-Putt mini golf and enjoy more than a dozen booths -- Bean Bag Toss, Plinko, Silly String Madness, Face Painting & the Water Balloon Shootout. Don’t miss the Flashlight Box Maze, Spin Art, Stuffed Animal Walk & Just Dance. Kids can have their parents (or their teacher) locked up! Activities cost only 50¢ to $6. Enjoy Taco Deli, Eastside Pies, Popcorn and delicious goodies from the PTA Bake Sale. Proceeds benefit the Brentwood PTA, which will use the money for the students at Brentwood. (6700 Arroyo Seco)Halloween Howl, October 27, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m., Austin Nature and Science Center -- Don’t miss this spook-tacular family event! Discover the science and nature of Halloween. Perfect for children of all ages. Lots to see and do! Costumes encouraged! Bring a flashlight! Hike by Moonlight, Play with Slime, Meet Nocturnal Hunters, Encounter a Bat, Visit the Planetarium, Experiment in a Mad Scientist Lab, Touch a Hissing Cockroach, Learn about Lizards & Snakes, Investigate Bones & Skulls, See Arachnids and More! $5.00 per person. (301 Nature Center Drive)

Pumpkin Carving on the Dock, October 27, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center -- Fun the whole family. Come in costume and enjoy pumpkin painting, face painting, food, music, games and prizes. RSVP by Tuesday, October 23 by calling 512-974-4926. FREE. (1165 Angelina Street)Halloween Fun and Film Fest, October 27, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Yarborough Branch Library. (512) 974-8820. Movies, games, and crafts. Popcorn and refreshments served. Reservations not needed. 10:30 a.m. - Pooh’s HeffalumpHalloween Movie. 12:30 p.m. - The Adventures of Icabod and Mr. Toad. 2:30 p.m. - Dark Shadows (PG-13). FREE. (2200 Hancock Drive)Fall Family Fun, October 27, Wells Branch Community Library -- Telephone Company concert at 10:30 a.m. Then, from 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., bring along a pumpkin to paint or paint a pumpkin on a paper bag. FREE, but you need to sign up at the library, starting October 13. (15001 Wells Port Drive)Mueller Halloween Carnival, October 27, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Browning Hangar -- This year’s carnival will feature bouncy houses, Home Depot’s Kids Workshop, cupcake walk, face painting, crafts, music, lunch at the Mueller Trailer Eats and more! Be sure not to miss the Monster Mash dance contest at 11:30 a.m. and the costume contest at 12:30 p.m. FREE. (4550 Mueller Blvd)Green Ghoul Family Fest, October 28, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Thai Fresh -- Bring Green, Halloween and Families Together! There will be a Petting Zoo, Eco-Maze, Pumpkin Carving Contest, Repurposed Fabric Costume Contest, Kids Stage, Recycled Art Projects and more! (909 Mary Street West, Austin, 78704)Pumpkin Paddle, October 28, 1 - 5 p.m., Lady Bird Lake -- Bats and bees and butterflies oh my! The Rowing Dock staff invites the whole family to Trick-or-Treat on Lady Bird Lake. Paddle together and discover treasures nearby to fill up your goodie bag! Free games, activities, and crafts with rental. Costumes encouraged! Please note: Regular rental rates apply to kayaks. Goodies include some candy, but mostly toys and small gifts. When deciding on a costume to wear to this event, please consider the possibility of getting a little wet!Spooky Skedaddle Festival and 5K, October 27, 4 - 9 p.m., Texas School for the Deaf -- Wear your costume and run, walk, cart wheel, or skip your way through the first Spooky Skedaddle Festival and 5K. Hot air balloons, safe trick or treating, face painting, mummy wrapping, cake walk, and more. Race entry fee: $30 for adults, $15 for students/kids. Tickets can be purchased on site for all booths. Trick or treating is FREE. Register here. (1102 S Congress Ave)NW Spooktacular, October 27, 5 - 8 p.m., Northwest Family YMCA -- Come dressed in your "family appropriate" halloween costumes and enjoy the following activities with you family: Face Painting, Haunted Candy Trail, Pumpkin Patch Pickin (one pumpkin per family), Seton Haunted Hospital (get bandanged up & some cool fake injuries), Festive Arts & Crafts, Family Halloween Games, Raffles with prizes, and spooky music. FREE for all. (5807 McNeil Dr.)Fright at the Museum, October 28, 1 - 4:45, Texas Memorial Museum -- Dress up your little goblins and bring your mummy to celebrate Halloween at Austin's very own dinosaur graveyard! Join spooky scientists in exploring the mysterious side of Texas' natural history. Feel frightful fish from the ocean depths; be rattled by slithery snakes of Central Texas; and feast your eyes on bizarre bugs while the Museum serves up creepy, crawly critters for your culinary delight. For more information, visit here. FREE. (2400 Trinity Street)Halloween Children's Concert, October 28, 2 p.m., Dell Hall, Long Center for the Performing Arts -- This year’s spook-tacular show is sure to have you shakin’ in your boots! Your little ghost or goblin will help haunt Long Center’s Dell Hall as the Austin Symphony presents its annual Halloween Children’s Concert, featuring mindchilling songs that are entertaining for all ages! The entire family is encouraged to join in on the fun and dress to impress in their favorite costumes while attending a concert full of “boo-tiful” music. Wear your costume! Tickets are $12 per adult; $8 per child. They can be purchased online. (701 W. Riverside)Halloween Open House, October 28, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m., Make Move Create -- Bring your kids in costume to sample some of what our family classes have to offer. Our art, theater, and yoga teachers will be leading Halloween-themed crafts and storytelling activities, plus we will have games, a haunted obstacle course, and goodies! This event is FREE, but pre-registration is required. (4624 Burnet Rd)Capital Music Children's Halloween Concert, October 28, 5 - 6 p.m., Central Market North -- Move and groove and get into the Halloween spirit! Students from Capital Music School will be playing pianos and drums. FREE. (4001 N Lamar Blvd)Fall Festival, October 28, 4 - 6 p.m., Southwest Christian Church -- Join us for food and candy, games, a petting zoo, candy, bounce houses, and a hay ride. All this and so much more for the whole family. FREE. (10500 Old Manchaca)Goblins in the Garden, October 28, 4 - 7 p.m., Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center -- Come celebrate Halloween at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center! There will be spooky fun activities on the grounds and gardens for all ages to enjoy. Explore the Not-So-Haunted Tower, where Botanica the herbal witch casts her magic plant spells. Follow the clues for the ultimate prize in the Owl Prowl scavenger hunt in the gardens. Get creative in the Halloween arts ‘n crafts center or be an Owl Pellet Detective in the Visitors Gallery. Families can dress up in their Halloween finest and bring a camera to take memorable snap shots. Come dressed as an insect from our Butterfly Garden to celebrate its 10th anniversary and then join the costume parade through the courtyard at 6:00 p.m. Think butterfly, moth, spider, and ladybug costumes. Enjoy goodies from local vendors on the grounds or stop by the Wildflower Center Café for hot chocolate and other seasonal beverages and food. Regular admission applies: $9 Adults; $7 Seniors 65 years and older; $7 Students 13 years and older; $3 Children 5 through 12; FREE for children 4 and under. (4801 La Crosse Avenue) Givens Halloween Carnival, October 29, 5 - 8 p.m., Givens Recreation Center -- Activities include: Hunted House, games, Halloween contest, balloon
stomp, tattoo parlor, cake walk, face painting, moon walk and much
more. (3911 East 12th Street)Paramount Pumpkin Spooktacular, October 29 - 31, Paramount Theater -- Feast your eyes upon hundreds of artfully carved jack-o-lanterns created the Austin community and central TX artists displayed throughout the theater before taking on the bone-chilling films of our Halloween Film Fest or creepy cartoons on the Paramount's larger-than-life screen. Bring in a carved pumpkin & get into one of our Halloween films/cartoons for free or receive a film pass to use at a later date! (719 Congress Ave)South Austin Spooky Halloween Trail, October 30, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. -- Bring the family out for a night of spooky fun. We will offer carnival type games in the gym as well as a haunted trail for those who dare to be brave! For more information, call 512-444-6601. FREE. (1100 Cumberland Drive)

A Positively Spooky Puppet Show, October 31, 10:30 a.m., BookPeople -- The store's wild and crazy puppeteers will perform a hilarious rendition of the story Dorothy’s great and treacherous journey to find the Wizard -- THE WIZARD OF OZ! It is Halloween so, if you wish, come dressed in your costume! Make sure to arrive early to ensure a seat at this raucous magical mystery show. FREE. (603 N Lamar Blvd)Montopolis Park Halloween Carnival and Haunted House, October 31, 5:30 - 8 p.m., Montopolis Park Recreation Center -- Montopolis staff is cooking up a potion that will have you screaming for
a good time. Kids can come and play Halloween themed games and go
through our haunted house. Tickets will be on sale for $0.25 for games
and there will be a $1.00 entry into the haunted house. For more information, call 512-385-5931. (1200 Montopolis)La Patisserie Trick or Treat, October 31, until 7 p.m., La Patisserie -- Bring your little ones dressed in their favorite costumes to La Paitsserie for some early trick or treating. The store will stay open until 7 p.m. passing out mini macarons to all that come dressed... even the adults. FREE. (602 West Annie Street)Trick or Treat for Books, October 31, 6 p.m., BookPeople -- Gather at BookPeople this Halloween for a storytime filled with our favorite type of treats – new books! Storytime will be in the amphitheater starting at 6 p.m., featuring stories full of monsters, ghosts, and witches (but none of them will be too scary). Then, at 6:30 p.m., join the costume parade around the store, which will start on the second floor and end at the front of the store where you’ll get your treat – a free book to bring home! This Halloween Party is perfect for witches and wizards ages 7 and under. Come have a Spook-tacular Halloween at BookPeople! FREE. (603 N Lamar)Trunk or Treat, October 31, 6:30 - 9 p.m., South Austin Church of the Nazarene -- Candy, games, face painting, and more! Join us for this fun, family-friendly community event. FREE. (6711 Manchaca Rd)Parque Zaragoza Halloween Pumpkin Carving Carnival, October 31, 6:30 - 9 p.m., Parque Zaragoza Recreation Center -- Join us for carnival booths with prizes a haunted house for the family and a tiny tot trick or treat trail. The first 50 families will receive a pumpkin to carve and take home. $0.25 per game. For more information, call 512-472-7142. (2608 Gonzales Street)Trunk or Treat, October 31, 6:30 p.m., Shoreline Church -- Trunk or Treat at Shoreline Church is an alternative to the typical trick or treat experience where you can enjoy this holiday event in a safe, family environment with children from our Church and our Community. There will be lots of fun activities, music, and fun for the whole family. Food will be available for sale until they run out. (15201 Burnet Rd)

Dia de los Muertos Festival, November 2, 6:30 p.m., Central Market North Lamar -- Enjoy a free celebration of Dia de los Muertos with Austin Samba School. FREE. (4001 N Lamar)Bastrop:Fall Festival & Corn Maze, weekends through November 18, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m., Barton Hill Farms -- Get lost at the first annual Fall Festival & Corn Maze at Barton Hill Farms! Set amongst hundred-year-old cottonwoods on the banks of the Colorado River between Austin and Bastrop, Barton Hill Farms integrates live Texas Country music, Texas heritage, and traditional fall fun to create an experience the whole family can enjoy. The festivities will be held every weekend through Sunday, November 18th. Featuring a 5-acre corn maze, the Fall Festival & Corn Maze offers a dynamic outdoor experience for all ages. Moms and dads can kick back with a brew and listen to the music while the little ones explore The Lively, a 50 foot pirate ship wrecked on the banks of the river, play frontier games in a replica of the ol’ Wilbarger fort, and pick pumpkins from the pumpkin patch. Austin’s own educational music duo, The Biscuit Brothers, will visit Barton Hill Farms on Saturday, October 27th and Saturday, November 10th. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for ages 3 - 12, and FREE for 2 and under. (1115 Farm to Market 969, Bastrop)Halloween Fest, October 31, 5 - 9 p.m., Downtown Bastrop -- Recognized as one of the top festivals in the country. FREE admission.

Boo-Da Halloween, Thursday, October 25, 6 - 8 p.m., Downtown Buda -- Activities Include: Halloween Stories, Crafts, Games and more at the Buda Public Library PLUS Trick-or-Treating. Local businesses provide free treats to children. For more information, call 512-312-0084. FREE and open to the public.Cedar Park:Trick or Treating at Lakeline Mall, October 31, 5 - 9 p.m., Lakeline Mall -- Enjoy a night of safe trick or treating. Kidgets Club members can pick up their trick or treating bags at guest services and stop by retailers for a sweet treat. Halloween photos will also be available by the Noerr Programs at the Dillards Women's court for a fee. (11200 Lakeline Mall Dr, Cedar Park)Manor:Fall Family Fun Festival, October 20 & 27, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Crowe's Nest Farm -- Visit the animals, hayrides, animal shows, butterfly demos, children's costume contest, and more. Free pumpkin for every family! Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for children age 3 - 12, $2 for children age 2, FREE for under age 2. (10300 Taylor Ln, Manor)Elgin:Evergreen Farms Pumpkin Hunt, each weekend in October, Saturdays 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sundays 1 - 5 p.m. -- Admission is FREE and several activities are free, but others cost $2.50 - $5. (Monkey Road, Elgin)Elgin Christmas Tree Farm Pumpkin Festival, October 13 and 14; October 20 and 21, Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sundays from noon - 5:30 p.m. -- Parents can enjoy the live music (and eating great food) while the kids stay busy decorating pumkins, competing in the duck races and playing on the playground. Plan to spend the day, there's so much to do. Admission: $5 Kids (2 – 12 years of age); $7 Adults and Older Kids (13 and Older). Some activities cost an additional fee. Join the Farm Family email list to receive One FREE Child Admission Coupon. (120 Nature's Way, Elgin)Georgetown:Special Needs Halloween Dance, October 12, 6 - 8 p.m., Georgetown Community Center -- Age 15 and up. Admission $5 (Caregiver/family member is free) Food, dancing, photos, prizes! Hosted by Georgetown Parks & Recreation Contact Heather Schwan with questions at 512-930-3596 or heather.schwan@georgetown.org. (445 E. Morrow St, Georgetown)Halloween Carnival and Hayride, October 25, 5 - 9 p.m., Georgetown Community Center -- Trick or treat from local businesses and non profit organizations, wear your favorite costume and enter the costume contest, and enjoy a showing of Monster House at 7:30 p.m. Hayride tickets are $2 for ages 5 and up and $1 for under age 5. Admission to the event is free, but carnival booths and activities charge a fee. (1003 North Austin Ave, Georgetown)Family Halloween Party, October 26, 6 - 8 p.m., Georgetown Public Library -- Bring the kids in costumes for the contest and come for lots of fun and activities. FREE, for all ages. (402 W. 8th Street, Georgetown)Spooktacular Halloween Bash, October 27, 6 - 9 p.m., Mel's Lonestar Lanes -- $12/per person includes: 2 Games of Bowling, Shoe Rental, Goodie Bag, Gutter Mansion - Haunted House with Unlimited Entries, Costume Contest with Prizes. (1010 North Austin Ave, Georgetown)Lakeway:Great Goblin Glow, October 27, 7 - 9 p.m., Lakeway City Park -- Happy Halloween from the City of Lakeway! Come one, come all on Saturday, October 27th to Lakeway City Park and celebrate the season as hot air balloons illuminate the night sky from 7 - 9 p.m. Children from around the area are invited to wear their costumes and enjoy an evening featuring music and a light show from DJ Strat Cat, candy, glitter tattoo artists, balloon twisters, a few carnival rides and a trip into Lakeway's own Dead End Cemetery! Don't miss the live bat exhibit from Bat Conservation International! Food will be available for purchase from The Evil Weiner, WhataTaco, Kona Ice Austin, Ice Cream 2U and KettleKing Karmel Korn. Please, no pets at this event. This event is sponsored by the City of Lakeway Parks and Recreation Department. For more information, please call 314-7530. (502 Hurst Creek Road, Lakeway)Leander:Fall Fun Festival, October 20 and 27, 6 - 10 p.m., Leander Fire Department Station No.3 -- Carnival games for all ages, food, drinks, vendors, inflatables, silent auction. Carnival tickets are only $0.50 each, and admission to the Firehouse of Horror is $5. (101 E Sonny Dr, Leander)Goddard School Open House, October 27, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., The Goddard School for Early Childhood Development -- Join in free, fun activities like pumpkin painting, games, and a bounce house in this event benefiting the Humane Society of Williamson County. FREE. (1730 Union Street, Leander)Trick or Treat, October 31, 10 a.m., Leander Public Library -- Come in costume for some stories, crafts and Library trick or treating. (1011 S Bagdad Rd, Leander)Manchaca:Fall Fun Fest, October 31, 6 - 8 p.m., Manchaca Baptist Church -- Manchaca Baptist Church will host their annual Fall Fun Fest on Wednesday, October 31, 2012, from 6 - 8 p.m. Make plans to attend the free festival to enjoy games, candy, hot dogs, face painting, cotton candy, popcorn and more! FREE. (1215 FM 1626, Manchaca)Marble Falls:

Halloween at Westcave Preserve, October 28, 2 - 5 p.m., Westcave Preserve -- Come see the Spooktacular Creatures of Westcave Preserve! Enjoy face painting, storytelling in the cave, nature oriented arts and crafts, and learn about the creepy critters from arachno-naturalist "Spider Joe." There will also be a guided tour through the bat trail to the canyon where you'll learn about the 40 foot waterfall and grotto. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children age 12 and under. (24814 Hamilton Pool Rd, Round Mountain, TX)

Pflugerville:Halls of Horror Haunted House, October 26 and 27, 7 - 11 p.m., Green Red Barn -- Enter if you dare! Admission is canned goods or $2. (901 Old Austin Hutto Rd, Pflugerville)Harvest Festival, October 27, 4 - 6:30 p.m., First Baptist Church Pflugerville -- Admission is FREE and activities are FREE! Activities will take place inside the Multi-Purpose Building and outside on the parking area in front of the buildings, including: Box Maze, Candy, Carnival Games, Door Prizes, Food, Hay Ride, Inflatables, Live Music, Silent Auction, Trunk or Treat, Wear a Costume (Not Scary). (512) 251-3052. (801 West Pecan Street, in the Multi-Purpose Building located behind Pflugerville Public Library, Pflugerville) Fall Festival, October 31, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m., New Life Baptist Church -- Free food, inflatables, games, prizes, trunk or treat, face painting, photo station, cake walk, crafts & much more! FREE. (19715 Hodde Ln, Pflugerville)Round Rock:The Fall Fair at Teravista Elementary, Saturday, October 6, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Teravista Elementary -- There will be a zip line, hair feathers, laser tag and slot car race, plus inflatables, carnival rides, pumpkin patch and pony rides and petting zoo. Admission is FREE; tickets and wristbands available for a fee. (4419 Teravista Club Drive, Round Rock)Costume Swap at The Little Gym, Saturday, October 13, 3 - 6 p.m., The Little Gym --In addition to the swap, there will be complimentary food and drink, raffle drawings and an open gym for the kiddos to play. The swap is an excellent opportunity to recycle your kids’ used Halloween costumes and pick up something new-to-them for this year’s trick-or-treating.FREE but RSVP required. (3203 S. IH-35, Round Rock)Halloween Extravaganza, October 26, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m., Safari Champ -- $5 admission all day long, goodie bags for children dressed in costume, free Halloween craft (11 a.m. - 1 p.m.), free face painting (4 - 7 p.m.). (1400 E. Old Settlers Blvd #200)Halloween Spook-Tacular, October 26, 6:30 - 8 p.m., Kaleidoscope Toys -- Wear a costume & Treat or Trick at the store! Fun Icky Activities! Spooky Games! Halloween Craft! Prizes, Treats and just plain Fun! (1601 South IH 35)Family Fall Festival, October 27, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Texas Baptist Childrens Home -- Enjoy games, hay rides, petting area, bounce houses, crafts and more. Hot dogs, snow cones, popcorn, cotton candy and drinks will also be available. Look for the tents on the northeast corner of Hwy 79 and Mays St. FREE. (1101 N Mays St, Round Rock)SpookyFest Family Halloween Festival, October 27, noon - 2 p.m., Sendero Springs Park -- *NEW FOR 2012* Spookyfest will now be offered at the Sendero Springs Park and will be a FREE event! No need to pre-register. Special thanks to the Sendero Springs HOA for their cooperation in helping us make this a great event for all resident of Brushy Creek! Join us October 27th at the SENDERO SPRINGS PARK for this *FREE* "Spooktastic" Family Halloween Festival. We will have many great activities for the kids including trick or treating from station to station. While this festival is open for all ages, the activities are targeted at children 2 to 12 years old. For a map of the event site with suggested parking areas, please CLICK HERE.Halloween at the Y, October 27, 4 - 10 p.m., Old Settlers Association-- Take your Halloween celebration to an entirely new level at the 16th annual Halloween at the Y at the Old Settlers Association (across from the Dell Diamond) in Round Rock. One of the largest Halloween events throughout Central Texas, this festival will include everything from Carnival Games to Inflatables and Rides to Climbing Walls, FREE Halloween Candy, Music, Prizes, Concessions and more. You also won’t want to miss out on our ever-popular Costume Contests. Admission is $5 per person, with FREE parking available at the Dell Diamond. For additional details, please contact the CHASCO Family YMCA in Round Rock at (512) 246-9622. The Halloween House Open House, October 29, 7 - 9 p.m. -- Come see this one-of-a-kind house brimming with all that is whimsical and odd about Halloween, complete with hundreds of original pieces based on Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and the "Corpse Bride" as well as Disney's "Haunted Mansion." Recently featured in the Austin American Statesman, The Halloween House is offering an OPEN HOUSE the Monday of Halloween week and Halloween night itself. Stop by for some family-friendly, Halloween fun! 23 Meandering Way is just east of the Dell Diamond off of Red Bud. If you can't make the open house, drive by anytime through Halloween to see the outside from dusk until 10pm. **We will be taking people through in small groups to get a closer look inside. Please do not park in front of the yard displays so that others can enjoy the full view. We also request that you be mindful of our neighbors and respect their properties and privacy. (23 Meandering Way, Round Rock)Fall Fun Fest, October 31, 9 - 11:30 a.m., Lakeview Pavilion festival area at Old Settlers Park -- This year’s theme is Dr. Seuss. There will be carnival games for toddlers and preschoolers, hayrides, cookies and punch and fun entertainment for all to enjoy. FREE, but guests are encouraged to bring a canned item for the Round Rock Food Pantry. For more information, call the Clay Madsen Recreation Center at 218-3220 or the Parks and Recreation Department at 218-5540. (3300 Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock)

San Antonio:Trick or Treaking at Morgan's Wonderland, October 31, 5 - 8 p.m., Morgan's Wonderland -- Wear your delightful but frightful Halloween costumes and enjoy the park and a night of trick or treating. For ages 12 and under; for special needs, all ages. Admission is $5, but bring any non perishable food item per person to Morgan's Wonderland or to STAR Soccer Complex between October 1st - 30th, and receive a coupon for FREE admission. (5223 David Edwards Drive, San Antonio)San Marcos:Farmer Fred's Harvest Fall Carnival, October 27, 6 - 9 p.m., San Marcos Plaza Park -- Join the City of San Marcos Parks and Recreation for the annual Fall Event, Farmer Fred's Harvest Fall Carnival in San Marcos Plaza Park. All ages are welcome and admission is FREE! FREE activities include carnival games with prizes and candy and an age-grouped Costume Contest. The Barrel train ride, Jump Castle, the Haunted Hayride and concessions will all be available for a nominal fee. Registration for the costume contest is from 6:00-6:45 p.m. Judging will take place at: 7:00 for 3 and under; 7:30 for 4-6 year olds; 8:00 for 7-9 year olds; 8:30 for 10-12 year olds. Call (512) 393-8400 for more information.Taylor:Spooktacular, October 31, 6 - 9 p.m., Downtown Main Street -- Stroll among the ghosts and goblins downtown from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm and visit the SpookyHouse next to the Howard Theatre for a fun Halloween adventure! Temple:Main Street Fright Fest, October 31, 5 - 9 p.m., Downtown Temple -- Vendors will provide treats and fun activities for kids, such as face painting, ring toss, bean bag toss, bounce houses, and more. Activities include painted pumpkin contest, Thriller line dance, costume contest, ghost tours, and more. All activities and admission is FREE.Waco:Zoo Boo, October 31, 6-8 p.m., Cameron Park Zoo -- Zoo Boo is for children between the ages of 2 and 12 years old. In addition to the trick or treating, kids will also enjoy games, face painting and the zoo’s barrel train! Tickets can be purchased online. Adults $9; kids 4 - 12 $6; kids 3 and under are FREE. (1701 N. 4th Street, Waco)